Horn travels from Australia to defend title against Crawford

McIntyre, who has largely done all of Crawford's talking for him in the build-up to the fight, said Horn was in for a torrid night.

Horn, the nicest man in Australian sport grinned back and replied: "Yeah, I'm ready".

Horn said he would most likely need the services of expert cutman Stephen Edwards at some stage of the fight because of the brutal effects of the horsehair gloves. The gracious Horn initiated a brief handshake with his challenger.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, visiting Horn in Las Vegas, said she was disappointed that Nevada boxing officials did not heed her appeal to ban the gloves from the welterweight battle.

Crawford, who unified the junior welterweight division a year ago, is seeking a world title in his third weight class in Sunday morning's (AEST) clash with Horn in Las Vegas. I don't want to be staring at him all day.

"I'd be petrified to fight Glenn to be honest", Horn said. I will do what I did for that fight and that is not worry about that and just worry about what I'm going to do in there and make a fight of it and be competitive and win.

When Crawford was told that Rushton was adamant that "Jeff doesn't headbutt" Crawford said: "Well, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the tactics that he uses in the ring, but that's his word on how his fighter fights in the ring". I am already mentally preparing myself for what I think will happen.

"I've heard a lot about Terence Crawford and seen a lot too and I don't think he's fought anyone like me or with the same ability, " he said. He might get hurt.

Jeff Horn in Las Vegas sporting a Queensland State of Origin jersey

Terence Crawford celebrates his victory by knockout over Julius Indongo in the third round of a junior welterweight world title unification bout.

Horn (18-0-1, 12 knockouts) has fought once since beating Pacquiao, stopping Gary Corcoran in Brisbane in December to keep his title.

"All through my fight with Manny Pacquiao, I was showing him the left and throwing the right, or the other way round". The mindset is that I am coming in as an underdog even though I am a world champion. For now, the 30-year-old Crawford - who describes himself as still "a work in progress" who isn't even "close to being at my best" - will be highly motivated by the sight of Horn in the other corner. I'm bigger. I'm stronger and I'm in my prime. Pressure breaks pipes, " he said.

"It's a brilliant fight between two unbeaten fighters".

On the weekend, Horn and wife Jo relaxed in front of a magic show performance by Mat Franco, a victor of the television show America's Got Talent. "And I was like "wow, this kid is bad".

"We're in for a heck of a war come Saturday night". But, and I'm not saying this in a mocking way, Crawford is a much more talented fighter and also technically the better fighter. "We were always thinking we'd go to America anyway and have a fight, so why not now?"